Category: Yours Truly

Happiest birthday to me! ❤️ I still can’t believe I turned thirty-four this year, almost turning forty soon. Yet, in all honesty, I still feel like I’m in the mid-20s. Yep, I mean, I do look like one don’t I? LOL.

Early this year, I was already planning my birthday trip to Thailand for my birthday, but I couldn’t seem to have that urge to book a ticket even though Thai Airways went sale. Also, I already planned nearby trips in between my birthday month so I couldn’t spend anymore cent. I kinda have this gut feeling that I should stay put and let the Lord surprise me on which He actually did.

Sharing you snippets of my birthday weekend!

Brotzeit: Barkada and HS friends plus my cousin. Forever grateful to these people who have made a mark in my life in the past two decades. What more could I ask for? Also, it was prolly one of my favorite intimate birthday celebrations. Though missing some who couldn’t make it, specifically named Karlie she had a valid excuse. LOL.

Because wine is life. LOL.

…The last time I will ever jager again. I took one and a half shot because Florence couldn’t finish hers. Never doing it again. Gah. Am I too old now for shots? LOLBeers from Brotzeit are so good!!! Cheers!!!

And to my surprise, my best friends got me this beautiful cake. AS IN ANG GANDA. They know me too well… What a beaut! The cake was from Lucille’s PH.

Dress: Zoo Label

The rest of the night was history. I want to share more especially the bonggang gifts but let’s just say… I wanna keep this celebration more privately this time. I feel loved by these people and grateful for all the BEAUTIFUL and THOUGHTFUL gifts they have given me.

Through the years!

Grid x Griddle: Church Friends and College Group. As much as I want a one-night celebration I know, I couldn’t handle much and wouldn’t be able to eat. I’ve tested that already. LOL. I chose Grid and Griddle because I know how much my church friends like game night and the kiddos in my college group will be able to enjoy the place. Plus, I know one of the owners. Gladly to advertise the restaurant. I did a food review on this one, you may click the link.

I wasn’t able to take photos of the food but I’m so glad Jepoy did. Here are some of the food from their set menus.

I appreciate everyone who came and even stayed longer to salubong my birthday… Overwhelmed and again thanks for all the thoughtful gifts, in fairness kilala nyo na akong bookworm and wine lover, LOL. There’s one thing though, I still haven’t figured out who gave the PIZZA from COAL? If you are reading this, THANK YOU.

My church friends! Growing groupie. Missing the rest of my D-Group!!!

I still feel awkward whenever the mandatory cake comes in. LOL.Cheers to more Rosé sans the wine glass. LOL

Lastly, with my dearest family. Just a simple dinner at Cafe Ilang-Ilang.

Thinking of what more can I wish or pray for? Aside from the fact that I still am praying for my heart’s desire.

Make a wish, Katrina.Oh to be thirty-four.Koko’s favorite little girl wants to blow the candle. Love you, babe!

I realized, the LORD has a beautiful plan afterward. The day after my birthday, I was supposed to head to La Union for a short getaway with my cousin but had to cancel it due to an Okada overnight stay with my best friends and my favorite kiddos. Soon on my vlog. Anyhoo, I came to realize one thing as Paul, the apostle, noted in one of his books,

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.For I can do everything through Christ,who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:11-13

There’s nothing more meaningful than to have the heart of acceptance to whichever season GOD brought you in. As far as I know, HE will go through it with you. TRUST me. When people asked me, what’s your wish? I’d tell them in a heartbeat, “to continuously SEEK HIM..” And they would tell me, “Yeah, yeah, yeah but the one wish you would like for Him to give you?” Of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t say, “A lifetime partner is what I still wish and pray for.” But, it’s not what I need most in my life though, what I need is GOD . Only He can fill the hole in my heart that no man can.

Another thing that I learned this season is to treat yourself with kindness and love. It’s okay to not feel okay, but it’s not okay if toxic people get in the way of your sunshine. It’s not even okay for them to make you feel guilty when you start to pull away from their pessimistic world just because you deserve better treatment. When that happens, you know what to do. Give extra love to yourself, a pat on your back, you’re worth is more than that.

This will also be the last time I will gather around with my friends to celebrate my birthday, not because I don’t like to celebrate it with everyone, hello it’s me, kidding. I just want to have a different kind of celebration next year and the upcoming years, something a bit more meaningful to my soul.

Moving on, after a week of my birthday, GOD surprisingly gave the best birthday gift ever. Another vacation trip, not a solo trip this time but with family!!! Since my sister came home again, my family and I decided to have a quick vacation trip to Malaysia. Yep, vlog will be up soon. Perhaps, the Lord didn’t want me to be alone on another getaway. I remember the start of the year when the Lord spoke..

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Thankful to my beautiful and strong mom, who taught me that all these things are but of GOD’s breath.

Sharing you our recent family photo. Let me tell you a tiny secret, it still makes me teary-eyed and a bit sentimental after we have this kind of photo, I mean, I wish my dad was also in the picture. I remember those times when papa was still alive, he always makes sure that he will bring me a cake and let me make a wish even those times when we were in crisis. I guess that’s why blowing candles on my birthday have a significant effect on my life. I was born into a family who celebrates birthday as if a holiday because for most of us it’s a time of thanksgiving.

Yes, you could say I already love fashion back then. LOL. Goldilocks!!! Hihi.

When Paul noted his contentment with having more and less, I know for a fact that he is indeed rooted in Christ love. And that’s what I wish and pray for each year. To have that audacity to trust GOD in whichever season He brings you especially in this world of defiance.

To end this, I want to say I appreciate every single person who made my birthday each year a beautiful one. Thank you for always making time and how happy my heart really is because of the love you guys showed me. I appreciate the LORD for you, and I thank HIM even more for life He has given me. His faithfulness endures forever. Praise and Glory to GOD, always.

“The resting place of the mind is the heart. The only thing the mind hears all day is clanging bells and noise and argument, and all it wants is quietude. The only place the mind will ever find peace is inside the silence of the heart. That’s where you need to go.” – Elizabeth Gilbert #EatPrayLove